Historic Trinity Featured in Film on Detroit’s Churches3 min read

Historic Trinity Lutheran Church is one of the Detroit churches featured in a brand-new film that debuted on December 12. Rev. Darryl Andrzejewski, senior pastor at Historic Trinity, was excited to be included and featured in the project. “It is going to be amazing to see an artist and storyteller like Keith Famie pull it all together,” Andrzejewski said.

Rev. Andrzejewski and Historic Trinity played a crucial role in making this work. Rev. Andrzejewski describes how it started: “‘Detroit: The City of Churches’ began as a brainchild of Historic Trinity, in cooperation with Keith Famie who’d been thinking about this idea as well. The first meeting was held in May 2021 when a priest, a minister, and a rabbi walked into our church. No joke. From that moment, we have been on an incredible journey of learning the history and beauty of the people of faith that have called Detroit their home for centuries.”

Historic Trinity’s Christmas Eve service is also featured in one of the movies’ trailers:

Detroit, at one time, had more churches per square mile than any other city in the country, serving a population from many nationalities and many faiths.

The two-hour film is hosted by long-time Detroit Television personality Chuck Gaidica and produced by Visionalist Entertainment Productions. Detroit: The City of Churches takes an in-depth look at Detroit’s history from the perspective of 17 of the city’s houses of worship.

In celebration of the upcoming Christmas season, Detroit: The City of Churches premiered at a private showing on December 10, 2022 at The Fillmore Theater in Detroit. A special closing of the evening’s celebration brought together several of the featured churches’ choirs on the candle-lit stage to sing “Silent Night.” The movie’s broadcast debut took place on DPTV / PBS on December 12. Additional showings will take place December 13 at 2 p.m., December 14 at 1 a.m., and December 18 at 6 p.m.

Rev. Andzejewski believes many people will be inspired by the film. “At a time in our nation’s history where we focus so much on our differences, this film will buck that trend. We will return to a time when a community comes together to celebrate the things we share in common: Our love for our city, our people, our children, our teams, our companies, our music, even our beer. If through that we can capture our love and dedication to the Lord in the living out of our faith, who wouldn’t be inspired?”

Listen to the Michigan District’s podcast interview with the film’s director, Keith Famie.

Here is a video tour of Historic Trinity by Michigan District’s Video Journalist and Digital Media Director Jeff Heisner:

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We are pleased to announce that Detroit: The City of Churches has been nominated for five Emmys, including best Historical Documentary. Thrivent and CEF were significant sponsors of Historic Trinity’s involvement with this film. You can now stream the video here.

_{Featured photo courtesy of “Detroit: The City of Churches;” photos of movie premiere by Elisa Schulz/Michigan District, LCMS.}